Record high numbers of sunburns treated at Victorian hospital emergency departments

Thursday 25 January, 2018

SunSmart urges people to protect skin five ways this Australia Day

Victorians are urged to get SunSmart this long weekend as new data shows January is the peak month for sunburn at state hospital emergency departments, with a record 190 sunburn cases in January last year.

Public emergency department presentation data shows 355 people presented with sunburn to state hospital emergency departments in the 2016-17 financial year alone. Sunburn presentations were most common among 10-19 year olds and 20-29 year olds, however, cases appear to be steadily increasing for all age groups over the years.

SunSmart manager Heather Walker said it was alarming to see so many sunburns requiring emergency treatment.

“Sunburn is a very preventable condition, and almost all of these cases could have been avoided with the use of good sun protection,” Ms Walker said.

“Severe, blistering sunburn that requires emergency treatment is not only very painful, it also increases your risk of skin cancers, including melanoma. While sunburn will heal and fade, the UV damage to your skin can’t be undone. Over time, it all adds up to increase your risk of skin cancer.”

Ms Walker warned that all sunburn – no matter how severe – is a sign of UV damage. Cancer Council’s National Sun Protection Survey shows approximately 671,000 Victorian adults were sunburnt on weekends alone during the 2016-17 summer.

“The good news is preventing sunburn and reducing your long-term risk of skin cancer, is easy. When you’re outside during sun protection times each day, protect your skin in five ways – cover up with clothing, a hat and sunglasses, use sunscreen and seek shade,” Ms Walker said.

Victorian Melanoma Service dermatologist Dr Victoria Mar recommended people seek immediate medical attention for severe sunburn where there is extensive blistering and pain, sunburn over a large area of skin, or if they experience headache, nausea and vomiting, fever or dizziness.

“For mild sunburn, stay out of the sun while your skin heals and stay hydrated, apply cool compresses and talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on soothing the burn,” Dr Mar said.

“Remember, nothing will cure your sunburn symptoms except for time and patience. The best thing to do is to prevent it in the first place. By the time you feel a ‘sting in the sun’, that’s not heat from the sun, it’s your skin burning.”

Ms Walker said Victorians should check the sun protection times for their location and protect their skin every time they were outdoors during these times. She encouraged Victorians to download the free seeUV app, which uses augmented reality to show the strength of UV levels around you.

“You spend more time in the sun than you think. UV reaches Extreme levels across Victoria in summer and 11 minutes can be all it takes for unprotected skin to burn,” Ms Walker said.

“No matter if you’re going to be at the beach, at a barbecue or relaxing around the house over the long weekend, it is vital to protect your skin. We want you to enjoy the break – not spend it nursing sunburn.”

About the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset Public hospitals in Victoria with recognised Emergency Departments (i.e. those that meet the national definition of an emergency department, including 24 hour staff and certain level of capabilities) report to the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD), as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Victorian Health Information reporting System. VEMD data on presentations to Victorian emergency departments for a principal diagnosis of sunburn were reported monthly for each financial year from 2004-05 to 2016-17. The number of hospitals reporting to the VEMD remained stable over these years (40 campuses total).

Principal presentations for sunburn in Victorian emergency departments in 2016-2017, by age group

Age group

Financial year total (number of presentations)

0-9 years

60

10-19 years

114

20-29 years

95

30-39 years

36

40-49 years

20

50-59 years

16

60+

14

Total

355

About the National Sun Protection Survey The National Sun Protection Survey was conducted via phone over the summer of 2016-17. Over 3,600 Australian adults were interviewed. Conducted every three to four years by Cancer Council, the survey provides a perspective on changing trends in Australians’ sun protection behaviours and rates of sunburn over the past decade.